Darryl Sykes is an experienced electrician, specializing in both residential and commercial diagnostic electrical service work, repair, and maintenance. Darryl has an attention to detail that is second to none as well as unsurpassed technical knowledge of the electrical field. He is resolved to give his full 100% to any job so that it gets done correct on the first time out. Darryl is well qualified to assess your home’s electrical safety and give the best recommendations to address any needs you have.

Some houses built in the 1960s and early 1970s have aluminum wiring instead of the standard copper wire. Aluminum wiring is considered a safety hazard because wiring connections may loosen up over time. Tiny gaps between the wiring and connectors may lead to overheating and possibly fires, especially when appliances and lighting fixtures are plugged into them.

What Homes are Affected?
Homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have aluminum branch circuit wiring. Homes built, rooms added, and circuits rewired or added between 1965-1973 and some post-1973 houses may contain aluminum wiring.

Aluminum Wiring:
A Leading Cause of Fire Hazards and Expensive Insurance Hikes. The aluminum wiring used in electrical systems installed during the 60’s and 70’s created a fire hazard throughout the home or building. While the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has for the past three decades, widely publicized that aluminum branch-circuit wiring is a fire hazard, insurance companies are just now catching on and are raising premiums accordingly. The CPSC estimates that two million homes in the United States were built or renovated using electrical circuits with aluminum wiring. The metal alloys used in many multifamily residential buildings during the 60’s and 70’s had some critical flaws that made it unsuitable for use as an electrical conductor. The aluminum alloy used at the time expands and contracts substantially, both in length and diameter, with a change in its temperature. Conductors going through numerous cycles of hot and cold temperatures can separate from the attached electrical devices (such as switches, receptacles, lights and circuit breakers), compromising connections and creating severe heat buildup.

In addition, the aluminum used at the time oxidizes when exposed to air creating a poor conductor of electricity, compromising connections and creating additional heat which has the potential to cause a house fire. Even if this does not directly start a fire, the heat can melt and or burn away insulation, which can create a short that may arc and ultimately spark a fire. This problem is then compounded every time the wire goes through another cycle of heating and cooling

In a nutshell, aluminum wiring expands, contracts and oxidizes causing excessive heating which can easily result in an electrical house fire. According to the CPSC, fires and even deaths have been caused by this problem. Recognizing the dangers of aluminum electrical wiring, insurance companies have started to look for aluminum wiring in this vintage of buildings. Where they have found the offending conductors, insurance premiums have skyrocketed, a reflection of how seriously the insurance industry perceives the problem.

To keep insurance prices at a minimum and to eradicate the fire hazard within a home or building, the owner or manager has many remediation options such as having a professional install aluminum-to-copper connectors or remove and replace all aluminum
wiring. Each remedial method has its pros and cons and should be evaluated as to its suitability for each particular building.

To immediately reduce the risk of fire in buildings with buildings with aluminum
electrical wiring, the following steps should be taken:

• Determine if aluminum wiring is present in the building
• Inspect electrical system for signs of aluminum wiring failure
• Install smoke detectors and check that existing detectors are operating correctly

It is all too easy to ignore problems that are unseen, but aluminum electrical wiring hidden behind drywall is still a fire hazard. Likewise, it is easy to believe that aluminum wiring is safe if it has not caused a problem in a home or building for the past 30 or 40 years, but the longer the connection is allowed to deteriorate, the more likely it is a problem will occur.

We are aluminum wiring specialist and can offer the best solution for longterm safety with aluminum wiring!

If homeowners do not have children, are TR receptacles required?
Yes. Owners or tenants of homes and apartments change frequently. In addition, exposure to electrical shock and burn accidents are not limited to a child’s own home. Children visit homes of relatives and friends who don’t have children of their own. This requirement ensures all new homes and apartments are safe for children, whether the home is their own or they are there on a temporary basis.

Do TR receptacles require greater insertion strength than standard receptacles?
TR receptacles require comparable force to other receptacles. The insertion force may vary depending on the newness of the device to the shape or style of the plug being inserted.

Are TR receptacles costly?
No. The projected cost of a TR receptacle adds about $0.50 to the cost of an unprotected receptacle. Based on current statistics, the average home has about 75 receptacles resulting in an overall added cost of under $40. This amount may vary slightly based on the type and style of TR receptacle used. This minimal increase in cost buys a significant increase in electrical safety for children.

Shouldn’t people accept responsibility for their children and teach their children not to stick items in receptacles?
Accidents involving children and receptacles cannot be blamed entirely on poor parenting. They involve people who look away for a moment, only to face undue tragedy and pain as the result of a child’s curiosity. The NEC’s mission is to provide electrical safety in the home. TR receptacles are a simple and easy way to protect children from serious injuries that continue to happen every year.

Why are TR receptacles preferred over products such as receptacles with caps or with sliding receptacle covers?
Receptacle caps may be lost and also may be a choking hazard for some ages. Children can learn to defeat sliding receptacle covers when they watch their parents. TR receptacles provide security against the insertion of objects other than cord plugs into the energized parts.

What is the NEC?
The NEC is the National Electrical Code. The NEC’s mission is to provide practical safeguards from the hazards that arise from using electricity. It is the most widely adopted safety code in the United States and the world, and it is the benchmark for safe electrical installations. The NEC is an evolving document, developed through an open consensus process. A new edition is issued every three years.

Fires can quickly spread through your home, endangering lives and destroying property. Equally as deadly, but harder to detect, carbon monoxide can leak from fuel-burning appliances that have not received proper maintenance. This puts you and your household at risk for serious illness and, in some cases, death. Protecting yourself and your family against the threat of fire or carbon monoxide poisoning is easy with a smoke or carbon monoxide detector. These helpful devices can be installed in key areas and alert you to the presence of harmful substances before it’s too late. Before you purchase one, consider the following questions:

• What types of detectors are available?
• Where should I place them for maximum effect?
• How often should the batteries be replaced?
• How can I ensure detectors will always operate as they should?
• What special features should I consider?

Power, Types of Detectors and Installation Considerations

Installing a detector in your home provides a safety net for you and members of your household, warning you of potential dangers associated with fire and carbon monoxide. Taking a few moments to place a unit in one or more areas of your home can mean the difference between life and death. With a variety of devices to choose from you’ll want to find the unit that best meets your needs.

Smoke alarms warn sleeping family members of the presence of fires for fast evacuation.

Carbon monoxide is a tasteless, colorless, odorless gas that is impossible to detect. Often referred to as “the silent killer,” carbon monoxide can cause a range of health problems, from flu-like symptoms to more serious ailments and even death.

Power:Many smoke and carbon monoxide detectors rely on batteries for their operation while others are hard-wired directly to your home’s electrical system. Some hard-wired models run on electricity but also feature a battery backup for added protection in case of power loss. Detectors that use lithium batteries, which last significantly longer, are also available. Battery-powered devices offer easy installation; regular battery replacement is required. Hard-wired models are powered via your home’s electrical system for constant operation. Choose an electrical model with battery backup for reliable protection even during power outages.

Smoke Detectors: There are two basic types of devices based upon different smoke detection technologies, photoelectric and ionization. While each type detects smoke and alerts you to potential fires, the technology each one uses is suited to better recognize different types of fires. Because you cannot predict what type of fire might occur in your home, it is best to purchase both types or to purchase a device containing both sensors. Regardless of the detector you choose, some insurance policies require that the product be certified by Underwriters Laboratory (UL), an independent product testing company. The UL mark means that the device has been evaluated according to national safety requirements.

Photoelectric detectors are most effective at detecting smoky, smoldering fires, such as might occur if a cigarette was burning into a couch or bedding.

Ionization detectors are more sensitive and excel at detecting quickly burning fires that might result from the explosion of combustible materials in a workshop or a grease fire in the kitchen

Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Carbon monoxide detectors work in a similar way to smoke detectors by monitoring carbon monoxide levels in your home and sounding an alarm if elevated levels are detected. The majority of carbon monoxide detectors use one of three basic sensor types, electrolytic, colorimetric and metal oxide semiconductor sensors. All three methods produce similar results with slight variances.

Electrolytic sensors are the most sensitive and efficient; they carry a higher up-front cost.

Colorimetric sensors measure the buildup of carbon monoxide gas over time; once the alarm goes off, it may take up to 48 hours to reset.

Metal oxide semiconductor sensors are popular because they also detect other dangerous gases, such as chlorine bleach and silicones.

Place carbon monoxide detectors at least 15 feet away from oil or gas appliances for more accurate overall readings.

Installation & Safety Considerations: For both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, follow the accompanying manufacturer’s user guide or instruction sheet to help you install, operate and maintain your devices. Be sure to keep this guide for future reference and hints for proper maintenance and care. The following chart offers added considerations to help you get the most out of your detectors.

* According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
** According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
***Refer to manufacturer instructions for ideal placement

SAME DAY RECONNECTION IN MOST CASES

If you are looking for a New Orleans electrician please call us today at (504) 305-1222 or complete our online service request form.

Trinity Electric’s Services:

• Emergency Electrical Repair
• Electrical Safety Inspections
• Electrical Repair
• Generator Install & Repair
• Electrical Panel Upgrades
• Electrical Remodeling
• Interior Lighting Installation
• Surge Protection Systems
• Electrical Options Catalog
• Permit Resolutions
• Carbon Monoxide & Smoke Detectors
• Tamper Resistant Electrical Receptacles
• Aluminum Wiring Services

We’ve received your submission and will be contacting you shortly to discuss your service needs. If this is an emergency or you require immediate service, please call our office directly at 504-305-1222.

As a new customer we’re currently offering a web special of $50 off your first service! To receive this special discount, please mention your coupon code when calling. Your coupon code is: WebSpecial$50

Terms and restrictions apply. $50 coupon applies to electrical service calls and bills in excess of $300. Void where prohibited.

Thank you for contacting Trinity Electric and we look forward to working with you soon!

We recently had the opportunity to help a needy family get one step closer to moving back into their home in New Orleans. While we can’t do every job for free, when there’s a need that comes up that’s real genuine, I like to know about it.

We’re helping Mr. and Mrs. Smith get back into their home by upgrading their old out-dated aluminum wiring installation complete with new receptacles and a new service panel as well as working with the city of New Orleans to get their home inspected and their meter back in place.

The Smith family is really doing their best to get back into their home. They’ve been displaced since Hurricane Katrina and relocated to Albany, Georgia. For the last year or so, they’ve been living with their daughter in the city.

Before the storm Mr. Ronell and Mrs. Sylvia Smith worked as long distance freight carriers. Wanting to be home on a regular basis, they decided to find local jobs before the storm hit.

By the time the storm hit, Mrs. Sylvia had become ill. In fact, she went from an evacuation shelter to the hospital where she was diagnosed with Echalsia. It’s a rare swallowing disorder that affects ones ability to swallow their food. It affects about 1 in 100,000 people. Over time it becomes progressively more difficult to swallow and get food to the stomach.

True fighters, Mrs Sylvia and Mr. Ronell never gave up no matter what the doctors said. Even after getting laid off last year, Mr. Ronell and Mrs. Smith kept fighting and they are never short of a kind word or smile for others.

Mrs. Sylvia found out about Trinity Electric via our phone book advertisement a couple of months ago. She was attracted to our company logo – a cross. We take our faith and walk with God seriously as well as the charge to give back.

Because of this, I truly believe we are a blessed company. We talked and prayed together and I could discerned that the Smith family was a family in need that I could help.

There’s a lot of talk about community, but I think small businesses have the resources to really help out more in our local community. Small businesses do have the resources to help people a lot more than most larger corporations.

It’s easier sometimes to just cut a check rather than give of your time and resources. That’s what we’re doing – giving our time and resources to be a blessing to someone in our community.

There are several things that I admire about Mr. and Mrs. Smith. They are such an inspiration. Their tenderness to each other and the strength of their marriage really impressed me.

We’re so happy to be helping the Smith family get back into their house. Finishing their electrical inspection last week, we hope they will be able to get back to the things they enjoy in their own home real soon. They both enjoy reading the Bible together and Mrs. Sylvia is looking forward to getting back to gardening in her backyard, sewing more, and cooking more wholesome meals in her own kitchen.

We’re pleased to share this story with our Trinity Electric family. We are not sharing this to brag or to boast but to challenge you to find ways to give back to your community even if it’s a small thing.

As we remember the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on this day, his commitment to service and community and his convictions led by his religious and spiritual beliefs, we carry our charge to do more in our community and remember that charity starts at home as Jesus taught.

At Trinity Electric we value safety and community. The Safety Foundation International recommends a full blown safety inspection for any home that’s 40 years old, that’s had a major renovation, that’s changing hands from one owner to the next, or has had a major appliance added.

When summing up the number of houses that fall into at least one of the above mentioned categories, almost every home can benefit from a routine safety inspection.

At Trinity Electric, we’ve done our best to make these inspections affordable and hassle free for all our customers new and old. Keep your home and family safe and remember, we can all do more in our community. If we can ever be of assistance to your family or business don’t hesitate to call us at (504) 305-1222 for 24/7 service or use our contact form.

Ciro Pennino is a certified Master Electrician who has over 15 years of experience specializing in residential and light commercial service work including renovations, panel upgrades, trouble-shooting, new construction, and third-party safety inspections (for realtors, owners and buyers).

He is also an aluminum wiring specialist and unrivaled at resolving permitting issues quickly and efficiently.

His passions are electrical safety and developing long term relationships with all of his clients. Ciro knows all phases of the electrical code and its requirements in most of all electrical installations.

He guarantees reliable service, quality work and peace of mind! Member – NAEI (Nat’l Assoc. of Electrical Inspectors) & NEC (Nat’l Electrical Code).

If you are looking for a New Orleans electrician please call us today at (504) 305-1222 or complete our online service request form.